As we all prepare our last weekend before the momentous 3-days of Lollapalooza, Chicago’s musicians have been active, seeing megastars moving forward on their respective LP’s and more local talents continue to push and promote their current endeavors as they plot for their own superstar careers. This edition of Local Sounds includes a healthy dosage of news, tidbits, and music from a wide array of local artists including Bump J, Rockie Fresh, Kanye West, Freddie Gibbs, Sir Michael Rocks, Vakill, YP, ShowYouSuck, MC ADaD, L.E.P Bogus Boys, Lupe Fiasco, President Obama + More.
To get things kicked off, last Saturday while interviewing rising star Diggy Simmons at the PHLI Store, we we’re able to link up with The L.E.P. Bogus Boys and speak to them about their recent Mobb Deep collab. Stating they heard Prodigy was checking for them while locked up behind bars (Gangstaz Do What They Want), Count continued by saying they contacted him shortly after his release, and that was that.
Lupe Fiasco made headlines this week while he spoke extensively with Dr. Cornel West discussing a bevy of topics, including misogyny in Hip Hop, Lupe’s lasting self-respect, and most notably Food & Liquor II. Lupe stated he hopes to release the project in the first quarter of next year, and has worked with Robert Glasper on the LP (ps: we get another poem from Lu’s sister Ayesha). Mr. Fiasco also called into Tone Kapone on Power 92, and spoke about his almost 3x Platinum “The Show Goes On”, His Trey Songz single, and his problems with the U.S. Government & President Obama. Lu also apologized for a canceled free Chicago show that was planned for August, but told fans he will be back soon and that he has big announcements in the coming months.
While When Fish Ride Bicycles is still budding with release parties still going on across the nation, Sir Michael Rocks recently announced that his next project Premier Politics will replace Special Edition Grand Deluxe as his first solo LP. No word yet on when we can expect this, but hopefully with the positive response from WFRB, it won’t be long.
Young MC YP, who has been laying low lately, is now ready to begin a push for his latest project Still Awake, the follow-up to his No Sleep mixtape he dropped last winter with DJ RTC. YP explains in a chat with W.B.C Magazine, that he has worked with The Olympiks on the project, as well as a new producer from Chicago by the name of Lowkey that will also be featured on Still Awake. Yet, the most exciting news came when Y.P. explained he has a song featuring Freddie Gibbs & Boldy James, which undoubtedly will be a banger.
Aside from reacting to Consquences’ statements, Rhymefest is currently working on a new project titled Courtesy of Chicago. More details coming soon. While Cons is still off firing shots, Kanye has yet to react besides revealing that Watch The Throne will be out 8.8.2011 and that he and Jay-Z will go by the group name, The Throne. I’m pretty sure Ye killed two birds with one stone with this announcement.
It was learned that Bump J is recording a mixtape while in prison in Big Spring, Texas. Bump is locked up from a bank robbery charge stemming from 2007. #Goonsquad
New Music & Videos
Rockie Fresh dropped his latest project The Otherside Redux, featuring brand new tracks and remixes from the first release, Redux is a well oiled re-issue that features the likes of Casey Veggies, Lil B, Naledge, Phil Ade, Tayyib Ali, and Rich Hil, and production by The Cartoonz, Cardo & Sledgren + more. After this release Rockie will jump right into a slew of tour dates to promote this last release.
MC ADaD released new visuals for the off his upcoming mixtape “PS… I’m Next #1”, out in September via All Natural Inc. The project will feature production from Illmind, Wajeed, Exile + More. While across the tracks of the underground Chicago Hip Hop scene, Vakill released a new video for his track “Appetite To Kill” off his latest Molemen release, Armor Of God.
Keeping up his powerful summer that included an EP with Statik Selektah, and hitting the road with new boss Young Jeezy, Freddie Gibbs dropped the track from the Cold Day In Hell trailer, “Rob Me a N**gga”. Aside from dropping the track, Freddie’s manager indicated Cold Day In Hell will be out “Sooner than you think”. Yes.
After a positive performance at last weekend’s Wicker Park Festival, ShowYouSuck decided to release a new track titled “Yesterday’s Clothes”, which features Floyd A, Davis IV who is also on the boards.
After another solid week in the local scene, we cap the week off with a dope show tonight at The Congress Featuring, De La Soul, Z-Trip, Nosaj Thing, DJ RTC + More. If you’d like to contribute something to Local Sounds, just hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or send an email to seanck@rubyhornet.com . Happy Weekend and let’s not end up where these dudes are at (Bump J Pic ^)